0
Ljswave Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Would you explaing what overbearing means?

-----------------------------------------
Edward : Look, Cater...
i am sorry . i know....
sometimes i get a little overbearing and i.....
---------------------------------------------

I saw the dialog above in a movie called "Bucket List"
i can't understand the word , "overbearing" ,so i found it by the dictionary.
it goes like::
An overbearing person tries to make other people do what he or she wants in an unpleasant and forceful way.
by the way , i got a question about why "overbearing" means like it.
i think it is used by "over" nuance is added "bear " nuance .
such as "income", "outgoing"

over =If one thing is over another thing or is moving over it, the first thing is directly above the second, either resting on it, or with a space between them.

bear = endure

My question:
how about my guessing about it?
Do English native speaker think like that , if they see a new word, phrase...?

i found 'OVER' meaning in the dictionary like:

preposition,adverb -over means
If one thing is over another thing or is moving over it, the first thing is directly above the second, either resting on it, or with a space between them.

If one thing is over another thing, it is supported by it and its ends are hanging down on each side of it.

If one thing is over another thing, it covers part or all of it.
...............etc

bear have various means like below.
of course my national language is same ,too.

but sometimes i can't understand why one word have too much
different nuances.

example as: carry > endure
1. [VERB] [LITERARY] If you bear something somewhere, you carry it there or take it there.
They bore the oblong hardwood box into the kitchen and put it on the table.
=carry

5.[VERB] If you bear an unpleasant experience, you accept it because you are unable to do anything about it.
They will have to bear the misery of living in constant fear of war
=endure

i can understand bear means support, endure because support and endure -nuance is similar .

the things i found bear in the dictionary
------------------------------
2.[VERB] [FORMAL] If you bear something such as a weapon, you hold it or carry it with you.
the constitutional right to bear arms.
3.[VERB] If one thing bears the weight of something else, it supports the weight of that thing.
The ice was not thick enough to bear the weight of marching men.
support
4.[VERB] If something bears a particular mark or characteristic, it has that mark or characteristic.
The houses bear the marks of bullet holes.
note paper bearing the Presidential seal
The room bore all the signs of a violent struggle.
6.[VERB] [with neg] If you can't bear someone or something, you dislike them very much.
I can't bear people who make judgements and label me
He can't bear to talk about it, even to me.
7.[VERB] If someone bears the cost of something, they pay for it.
Patients should not have to bear the costs of their own treatment.
  

Top answer

Do English native speaker think like that , if they see a new word, phrase...? Most native speakers are satisfied just knowing a words meaning and usage. We take the language for granted and don't think about it too deeply.

  • Do English native speaker think like that , if they see a new word, phrase...?
  • Most native speakers are satisfied just knowing a words meaning and usage.
  • We take the language for granted and don't think about it too deeply.
  • The definition of bear you are looking for is to bear down with weight or force.
  • An example is a bearing wall that pushes the weight of the house down on the foundation.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
ljswaveMy question:how about my guessing about it?Do English native speaker think like that , if they see a new word, phrase...?
Most native speakers are satisfied just knowing a words meaning and usage. We take the language for granted and don't think about it too deeply.

The definition of bear you are looking for is to bear down with weight
0
Thank you for ur useful explanation. especially helpful to recommand the site , Etymology dictionary.

Related Questions